Recollecting a loss!

The photo above of a jasmine bunch of flowers had four buds out of which two looked dried. I noticed this during the morning walks. 

Later in the day, while tracking the butterflies, I happened to pass by the same Buch of flowers. The two dried buds had fallen off. 

The first impression that sprang within me was about the dried buds that did not survive. 

There were three flowers and two buds ready to open! 

This brought an awareness about the silent traction within me to focus on what is not there, or what is missing or a loss! That orientation denies one of the delight that ought to be associated with what is still present!

The loss is real and  has its own emotions associated with it! But if that were to linger on or surface as a recurring thought, then the interior ambience within is grey in perception!

Anna and I wondered why in the recent six weeks  birds do no visit the feeding station as before. The delight of the morning was to look forward to birds and squirrel visiting the feeding station. We have a feeling missing something which has been part of our morning routine for about a year. 

While I sat looking out to the courtyard and thinking the above thoughts, a Bulbul arrived at the cable above and began its bird calls. 

There is a loss of a visual feast with birds skipping the feeding station!

But the delight of seeing a Bulbul perched ten feet away and tunefully singing is a novel experience!

I felt as if it was a symbol of hope!

The current situation is one of despair. Jerusalem burning with wild fire for three days with a strong suspicion that it was a deliberate terrorist act; the tariffs brought back by the president of the USA; Indo-Pakistan conflict brewing; Russia planing to march into Afghanistan; USA wanting to subdue Europe... what a situation of serious concerns! 

But a Bulbul has its song, the flowers and buds are still in the jasmine; Anna and I are well enough to carry on our daily rhythm...!

The message is one of hope!

The loss is not the traction, but hope that reminds us of the plenty for now and the future!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)